Quakes sign Turkish F Sercan Guvenisik

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club has signed Turkish forward Sercan Guvenisik pending receipt of his P-1 visa. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Guvenisik comes to MLS from SC Preussen Muenster of the Bundesliga 3. He scored 14 goals in 56 league matches after returning for his second stint with the club in 2010. Guvenisik also played there in 2005-06, while previously competing for SC Paderborn 07, Rot-Weiss Essen, FC Carl Zeiss Jena, SC Feucht and MSV Duisburg in Germany.

“We had him on trial last year and followed him ever since,” said Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop. “He’s an intelligent, experienced player who should help with the depth on our squad. We’re happy to have him in San Jose.”

He produced 17 goals and eight assists over 39 matches for Paderborn in 2008-09, winning the Bundesliga 3 Golden Boot award and helping the club earn promotion to the Bundesliga 2. Guvenisik drew six Bundesliga substitute appearances for Duisburg in 1999-2000. He played for Turkish Super Lig club Manisaspor from 2005-06 for and spent time with Turkish side Denizlispor as well.

Guvenisik is no stranger to the Earthquakes. He started and scored two goals in his MLS Reserve League debut during a week-long trial with the Quakes last June. The brace came during the first half of a 3-0 home win over the LA Galaxy at the Earthquakes Training Facility in San Jose on June 6.

“I am really happy to sign with the San Jose Earthquakes and Major League Soccer,” said Guvenisik. “It has always been my dream to play in the United States, and MLS is growing each and every year. It makes me proud, too, to be the first Turkish player to sign with MLS, and I hope to represent the Turkish community well here and put more Turkish eyes on the league. I am looking forward to joining my teammates soon and working with (head coach) Frank (Yallop) and his staff.”

Guvenisik, who represented Turkey at the U-21 level, holds dual citizenship in Turkey and Germany.